Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo discussed his position at the Bianconeri, the recent controversy surrounding his substitution in the club’s game against AC Milan and the Italian league, with the online edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport gathering his words.

“In the last three weeks I’ve been limited. There was no controversy on my part in the moment. You have created the case. Clearly, I don’t like being substituted, but I wasn’t at my best, I tried to help Juventus anyway, playing also as an injured player. I understood the change because I wasn’t feeling well. Even now I’m not 100%, but I’m used to sacrificing myself both for my club and for the national team. And I do it with pride, because I knew that we had to face fundamental matches and I couldn’t miss them.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner then touched on the Italian league as well as the pressure put on the Bianconeri by Inter.

“We have Inter who put a lot of pressure on us. We only have one-point advantage in the league, and we can’t afford any slip ups. With Portugal we had to win these two games to qualify for the European Championship, otherwise we were out. I’ve never had any major injuries. I play 50 or 60 games a year, but at one time or another some unexpected events may happen. What I have now is a pain that doesn’t allow me to be 100%.”

Finally, Ronaldo spoke about the media’s interpretations of the Milan incident.

“You know that I don’t talk much to the press, but you always have to put one between me and the coach to create controversy. With Juve we won, and we are first, with the national team we have qualified for Euro 2020. Now I can think of returning as soon as possible to full fitness.”